Research

Iron and steelmaking accounts for a significant proportion of global greenhouse gas emissions. Both miners and ironmakers are currently striving to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to meet Paris Climate targets consistent with a 1.5°C temperature rise. A key focus of Centre research is to decrease the greenhouse gas emissions from ironmaking using Australian iron ores and coking coals.

Our research aims to understand the fundamental mechanisms driving the conventional and modified low emission blast furnace ironmaking processes, as well as de-risking emerging alternate processes such as the direct reduced iron electric smelting furnace (DRI-ESF) process, and direct iron electrolysis. We aim to understand and optimise the use of Australian iron ore and metallurgical coal in these processes, including the critical sintering, cokemaking, direct reduction steps.

The outcomes of research carried out by SSR assist users of Australian iron ores and metallurgical coals to:

• Assist BHP and their customers to meet their steel decarbonisation goals
• Increase the energy efficiency in sintering, cokemaking and modified blast furnace ironmaking - to reduce greenhouse emissions
• De-risk alternative low emission iron and steel technologies such as DRI-ESF, and molten salt electrolysis
• Broaden the range of new raw materials that can be used effectively in these processes - to increase the Australian resource base
• Optimise the quality of the sinter and coke produced for modified low emission blast furnace technologies by defining the required technological challenges posed by hydrogen injection, top gas recycling, and the introduction of biogenic carbon
• Maximise the use of biogenic carbon in cokemaking and ironmaking processes

Research Themes

SSR is a research intensive and a leading ironmaking research centre in Australia.

Research Facilities

SSR has world class research facilities for ironmaking materials research.